Merton Messengers
(advanced jazz ensemble)

Merton Messengers
(advanced jazz ensemble)

A young man in a black polo shirt plays a silver trumpet indoors. Focused on the instrument, he wears a lanyard round his neck, possibly performing as part of the Merton Messengers. The background is blurred.

  • WEDNESDAYS, 6.15pm – 7.15pm (fortnightly – same as MYJO week)

  • Venue: Music Centre, South Wimbledon

  • Musical Directors: Michael Chillingworth and Olivia Murphy

  • Membership by invitation only, Grade 8+ and high school age

Merton Messengers is an exclusive ensemble comprising MYJO’s most advanced players (Grade 8+) eager to further refine their improvisation and ensemble skills. Inspired by the legendary Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, this group performs a dynamic mix of jazz standards and original compositions, with members encouraged to bring and showcase their own pieces.

Membership is by invitation only, offering a unique opportunity for dedicated musicians to challenge themselves and grow within a supportive, high-level jazz environment.

Included in Ensemble Membership. Click here for fees.

Go back to Ensembles Timetable.

FAQs

Our ensembles are open to 7-19 year olds from Merton (and the surrounding areas) who sing or play an instrument.

With the exception of our choirs (which don’t require any prior experience to join), your child’s instrument, age and ability will help determine which ensembles they can play with. Even if your child has only been having instrumental lessons for a term, it’s likely that there are groups they could join; and they don’t even need to be taught by an MMF tutor to get involved.

Our termly Music Centre membership fee covers multiple ensembles; for example a beginner trumpet player could join Young Voices Choir, Junior Concert Band and Jazz Jumpers giving them maximum musical fun.

If your child doesn’t play an instrument yet, we’ve got that covered too. We offer instrumental lessons in many of Merton’s schools and at our four Music Centres across the borough. Click here for information about lessons.

Progression has been the cornerstone of our approach to music education for over 30 years. While some of our groups are mixed ability, we have beginner, intermediate and advanced ensembles for Guitars and Strings as well as our Concert and Jazz bands. Students who start their musical journey in our beginner ensembles steadily work their way up through the ranks, progressing to our advanced ones.

We firmly believe that Music is for life and for many of our alumni, music will continue to be a meaningful part of their lives beyond MMF; whether they pursue music studies at university, create a band with their friends, join community orchestras, pursue a career as a professional musician or simply play for their own enjoyment.

Please arrive 5-10 minutes before your rehearsal is about to start.

At the end, you may be expected to help pack away instruments, music stands and chairs.

Those who use sheet music should always bring a pencil to rehearsals.

If your child can’t make a rehearsal please contact the office to let them know.

Black trousers/skirt, black shoes.

Junior and Intermediate ensembles wear blue MMF polo shirts. Senior ensembles wear black MMF polo shirts except Senior Guitar Ensemble who wear their own plain, black long sleeved shirts.

Polo shirts are available from the MMF office. Blue (Junior / Intermediate) = £10 / Black (Senior) = £12

Free Trial Rehearsals

Keep an eye out for our free Come & Play taster sessions, typically scheduled at the start of each term. During these sessions, your child will have the opportunity to join a choir, band, or ensemble rehearsal to see what it’s like. Which group(s) they get to try will depend on their instrument, age and ability.